Jack Wagner
Discover the life of Jack Wagner (born October 3, 1959) — American actor, singer, and golfer known for his work on General Hospital, Melrose Place, The Bold and the Beautiful, and his music career. Read his biography, achievements, and notable quotes.
Introduction
Jack Wagner (born Peter John Wagner II on October 3, 1959) is a multi-talented American actor, singer, and avid golfer. General Hospital, primetime soaps such as Melrose Place, and long runs on The Bold and the Beautiful.
His career spans over four decades, with work in television, film, theater, and music. His perseverance, versatility, and crossover appeal make him a compelling figure in popular entertainment.
Early Life and Family
Jack Wagner was born in Washington, Missouri to Peter John Wagner (a car salesman) and Irene “Scotty” (Amberg) Wagner who was a homemaker. Dennis Wagner (1953–2018), who died after battling leukemia.
Raised Catholic, Wagner attended St. Gertrude’s parochial school and then St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in his hometown, where he played football and basketball.
After high school, he went to the University of Missouri for a year, then transferred to a junior college, and later enrolled at the University of Arizona.
Career and Achievements
Early Acting Breakthroughs
Wagner’s first professional role came in 1982 as Clint Masterson on the short-lived cable soap A New Day in Eden. Knots Landing, ultimately landing his breakout role as Frisco Jones on General Hospital in 1983.
Frisco Jones became one of his signature characters, a “supercouple” pairing with Felicia (Kristina Wagner), and he returned to that role in multiple stints over the years.
He also played Warren Lockridge on Santa Barbara (1991–1993), and later Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place (1994–1999).
From 2003–2012, Wagner starred as Nick Marone on The Bold and the Beautiful.
He also appeared in numerous TV movies and guest roles on series such as Monk, Hot in Cleveland, and Castle.
Music and Stage
Parallel to his acting, Wagner pursued music. His most successful single was “All I Need” (1984), which charted well, and he released several studio albums including Lighting Up the Night, Don’t Give Up Your Day Job, Alone in a Crowd, On the Porch, among others.
He taught himself guitar and performed on shows like American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Soul Train, and The Merv Griffin Show.
He also ventured into musical theater, notably playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on Broadway and touring in shows like West Side Story and Grease.
Golf and Philanthropy
Wagner is an accomplished golfer. In 1980, he won the Missouri junior college golf championship. American Century Celebrity Golf Classic, a televised celebrity tournament: first in 2006, then again in 2011 (defeating NFL star Tony Romo in that round).
He also established the Jack Wagner Celebrity Golf Classic to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Awards & Recognition
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Wagner was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Younger Actor for his work on General Hospital.
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In 2005, he also received a nomination for Best Lead Actor for The Bold and the Beautiful.
Personal Life
Jack Wagner was married to Kristina Wagner, his General Hospital co-star, until their divorce in 2006. Peter (born 1990) and Harrison (1994–2022). Harrison Wagner Scholarship Fund to assist young men with housing costs in sober living facilities.
In 2007, he began dating Heather Locklear; they became engaged in 2011, but the engagement was later called off.
He also has a daughter, Kerry, whom he met in 2011 for the first time; she had been placed for adoption at birth.
In 2025, Wagner married musician Michelle Wolf in a private ceremony.
Personality, Style & Strengths
Jack Wagner has often been praised for:
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Versatility: Moving seamlessly between daytime soaps, primetime dramas, music, theater, and golf.
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Work ethic and longevity: Maintaining an active career over four decades.
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Charisma and crossover appeal: His fan base extends across soap opera viewers, music fans, and even sports/golf audiences.
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Resilience: Personal trials such as family loss, relationship ups and downs, and public scrutiny have been met with advocacy, openness, and commitment to positive causes.
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Charitable spirit: Using his golf events and public visibility to support cancer research and recovery programs.
Famous Quotes of Jack Wagner
Here are some quotes attributed to Jack Wagner (from public sources):
“It takes so much more to write good songs than it does to sing them.”
“There’s so much more vitality when you’re more honest.”
“Your heart just automatically goes toward what’s healthy and true in your life, and what’s not, you want to run from.”
These reflect his introspective side, his understanding of creativity, and his emphasis on striving toward authenticity.
Lessons from Jack Wagner
From Wagner’s journey, a few key lessons emerge:
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Embrace multiple passions: He didn’t limit himself to acting—he pursued music, theater, and even golf, enriching his career.
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Sustain relevance with reinvention: His returns to roles (e.g. Nick Marone) show that maintaining connections to past successes can be meaningful.
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Channel personal adversity into impact: After tragedy in his family, he helped turn pain into purpose via scholarship and advocacy.
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Authenticity resonates: His sincerity, both in art and public life, has earned him enduring fan loyalty.
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Stay open to life’s surprises: His late marriage and personal decisions show that life paths aren’t static—they evolve.
Conclusion
Jack Wagner is more than a soap opera favorite—he is a multifaceted artist whose career spans acting, music, theater, and sports. His longevity, adaptability, and personal integrity shine through both his public roles and private choices. Whether you encounter him as Frisco Jones, Nick Marone, or in concert, Wagner’s story is one of creative persistence, resilience, and a desire to make meaning from every dimension of his life.
If you'd like, I can put together a detailed filmography, a discography, or a timeline of his life. Would you like me to do that now?